Mass Incarceration, Racial Disparities, and Reentry There are several events throughout history that have led us to this era of mass incarceration. In the 1960s, there was a genuine increase in criminal activity, which in turn started to scare a lot of Americans, and it was at the top of most people’s concerns before the next presidential election (Clear, 2007). There was also the War on Drugs in the 1970s, which led to thousands of people getting arrested for non-violent drug offenses (which we are still dealing with today) and harsher punishments/sentences all around. The sentencing policies included the three-strikes laws, mandatory minimum sentencing, longer sentences, and less discretion for parole (Clear, 2007). Another reason why we’re in this era of mass incarceration is because people started making money off of it. Private prisons emerged, and now people were making millions of dollars off of locking people up. This is like how we’re dealing with Big Pharma today, how medications and treatments cost a fortune, just because these businesses are making millions off people’s suffering. Robert Martinson’s “Nothing Works” article completely changed the trajectory of our correctional policies and the overall purpose of …show more content…
First, they have to find a place to live. This can be challenging if they don’t have anyone they can live with (because people may also have cut ties with the offender, another disadvantage). They might also have trouble finding a job, especially if they’re a felon because they have to note that on job applications. Not to mention just the simple stigma they have to carry around with them everywhere once they get out because they are now labeled criminals. Another common disadvantage that offenders may face upon release is the option to use drugs (again, or for the first time). For many offenders, relapsing on drugs is the fastest way to end up back in